---
title: "Textarea"
canonical: https://sky-ui.cf.sky.com/components/textarea
---

# Textarea

## Purpose

Textarea fields are form elements used to collect multi-line, free-form text input data from the user. They are used in place of the [Text Input](/components/text-input/) when the value entered is expected to exceed one line.

## Anatomy

The Textarea can be broken down into the following elements -

1. **Mandatory (optional)**<br/>The asterisk indicates whether filling in this field is optional or mandatory.

2. **Label**<br/>The text label is used to describe the required input from the user.

3. **Text Input (optional)**<br/>The text field within the container shows the user’s input once it has been filled in.

4. **In-line Messaging (optional)**<br/>An optional text field that can be used for further information, clarifying the required input.

5. **Validation Message**<br/>An error message to show if the Textarea has failed validation.

## Variants & States

There are several states available to visualise the user’s progress.

**Default**

**Focus**

**Disabled / Read-only**

**Error**